How to Cope with Stress in a Pandemic

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With recent discussions of a “Second-Wave” for the COVID-19 Pandemic, I think it is safe to say that everyone is getting a bit fed up with all of this pandemic talk. However, we at PNHC feel it is important to help patients by giving some strategies on how to cope with the stress.

What is Stress?

According to Webster’s Dictionary, Stress can be defined as, “a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc.; something that causes strong feelings of worry or anxiety; a physical force or pressure”. I think it goes without saying that all of us have experienced stress from the COVID-19 Pandemic. The pandemic is not what anyone expected or prepared for when they determined their plans for the year 2020. We have all had to adjust quickly, and its possible, that we still have not adjusted. Without optimal coping techniques, it can be difficult for many to manage comfortably through all of the chaos that our world is currently going through. We hope that this blog would offer some different ways to cope.

Ways to Cope with Stress at Home

Unfortunately, during these uncertain times, there is a lot outside of our control. We cannot control the state of affairs at any governmental level, and we cannot control for what others do or how they act. This is where I (Dr. Elisha Cook ND) would normally say to my patients that it is important that you focus on the things you can control – your thoughts, your actions, your behaviour, your attitude, and frankly where you put your hope. In addition to focusing on these areas, I also find it useful to use tools that remind you of what you actually can control for. No one answer provides a suitable option for everyone and their coping needs. As a result, I have provided examples below of healthy ways to cope with stress:

  • Journaling – options might include focusing on gratitude, lessons that can be learned from difficult points in a day, or good and bad highlights from the day.
  • Breathing – in particular deep breathing, though this may prove to be difficult for those with respiratory diseases.
  • Exercise – exercise can act as a great way to release any excess tensions in a healthy and constructive way.
  • Talking to others – sharing your more intimate thoughts and concerns with someone is helpful with working through stress. It is important to recognize that you are not alone and you have individuals who can help whether that is loved ones or health care providers. It is okay to open up to others about how you are feeling.
  • Praying or Meditating – both of these have very similar outcomes and they help an individual to become grounded and refocus on what really matters.
  • Take time for self care – Give yourself time for you and do something that brings you joy. This might include taking a bath, getting a massage, or getting lost in a book.
  • Distraction through changing your scenary – changing the task you are doing, if applicable, can help you to redirect your focus from a problem, and might look like engaging in a favourate hobby.  
  • Pet Therapy – if you have a family pet at home, spend some time with them as this can help to reduce blood pressure and activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
  • Adopt healthy sleep routines – having a routine around bed, adopting a consistent bed time, and engagine in relaxing activities prior to bed can help you sleep better and thereby cope better with stress.

The next time you are feeling stressed, and need to find a healthier way to cope with your stress, take the time to explore these options and find what works best for you.

What NOT To-Do To Cope with Stress

As foreshadowed, there are some coping mechanisms that are less than ideal when trying to cope with stress. Below I have provided a few examples of unhealthy coping mechanisms:

  • Binge eating
  • Drinking
  • Avoidance
  • Gambling excessively
  • Smoking
  • Using elicit drugs
  • Isolating yourself from others who can help

Therapies that can help with stress

There are many different things that can be done to help someone to cope with stress. Many alternative medicine therapies can be beneficial for helping to promote the parasympathetic nervous system which is in charge of relaxing and resting. Some therapies that might be useful to help you to cope with stress depending on your specific case and needs include:

  • Acupuncture
  • Massage Therapy
  • Counselling
  • Nutraceutical Medicine
  • Botanical Medicine
  • Reflexology

Each individual is different, and so there is no one treatment that would be good for everyone. So, choose the treatment that is less intimidating and feels right for you.  

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in any of the above therapies to help you work through stress and are wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact the Plattsville Natural Health Clinic by calling 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today! 

This article was written by Dr. Elisha Cook ND

Introducing Ben Tennant Registered Massage Therapist!

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Here at PNHC, we want to welcome the talented Ben Tennant to our roster of amazing registered massage therapists! Ben has been working as a RMT for just under 2 years now. He originates from Kitchener and has a passion to help alleviate pain, reduce your tension and improve your daily function by restoring your movement to its natural potential. To help you meet these goals as efficiently as possible, he’s adopted the Functional Movement Systems’ model of rehabilitation.  

Ben first differentiates between the sources and causes of your pain.  Once the sources are removed, the symptoms often drop away.  Next is to identify limitations and asymmetries in movement, which are brought to standard through massage and corrective exercise.  At this point your risk of injury is greatly reduced and for most this is enough.  If you’re looking towards specific fitness goals, further recommendations are given to help you meet them.

On the personal side, before becoming a massage therapist, Ben was trained in Financial Planning. He spends a lot of time practicing Tai Chi and Qigong, as well as writing fiction.  As of Fall 2020 he’s living in Guelph and training for his first triathlon.

To book in with Ben, call or text our clinic at 226-232-7665, email us, or contact us through the contact portion of our website!

Welcome to our newest Registered Massage Therapist – Lorri Zimmerman RMT RRPr!

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Here we GROW again! We are so excited to welcome Lorri Zimmerman Registered Massage Therapist/Registered Reflexologist to our team! Lorri has been practicing as a registered massage therapist for just under 3 years now and has a diverse set of skills. She is all about helping you be at your best and works towards making the treatment fit your specific needs. We look forward to having Lorri help our community and help you achieve your health goals. If you are interested in booking a massage with Lorri, please contact the clinic directly through calling or texting 226-232-7665, or by sending us a message through the contact us portion of our website.

To learn more about our new member to the Plattsville Natural Health Clinic family, please read her story below:

From a very young age Lorri was interested in health and wellness.  She experienced debilitating migraine starting at age 12.  After trying prescription after prescription to try and alleviate the pain with no success and fearing all the side effects that were part of the medications, she discovered the power of Massage and Reflexology.

In 2009, she entered the world of Reflexology as a Practitioner, joining both the Registered Reflexology Council of Ontario (RRCO) and Grand River Reflexology Associates (GRRA); and has been exploring the path of Alternative Healing.

 In 2016, Lorri chose to widen her horizons and enroll in Massage Therapy School in Cambridge.  She became a Registered Massage Therapist in August 2017.  In 2019, Lorri became a council member for the RRCO and is active in progressing that modality.

In her spare time, Lorri enjoys Nature and the Outdoors with her family.

Plattsville Natural Health Clinic is Re-opening!

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We are taking Chiropractic, Pedorthic and Naturopathic Appointments!

We are excited to announce that on Monday June 1, 2020 we will be reopening, and so we are booking appointments for our chiropractic, pedorthic and naturopathic services (massage is on hold for now)! The clinic and its operations will not look the same as it did before, and with that, we would like to update our patients and future patients on the systems we have in place in order to maximize everyone’s safety. 

What We Are Doing 

Hand Hygiene

  • Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the clinic and included at Hand Sanitizing Stations. 
  • As per standard public health policies, all healthcare providers are required to wash their hands between patients, and so, we will continue to do so. 
  • The clinic will have signs posted regarding proper hand hygiene and proper use of masks. 
  • Signs will be posted encouraging individuals to wash their hands upon arrival to the clinic. 
  • Staff will be making it known to patients to wash their hands upon arrival .

Screening

  • A contact record will be kept daily on all individuals that enter the clinic – you are not required to participate in this, but we will be tracking who comes into the clinic for public health concerns.   
  • You will receive a reminder regarding your appointment, which will include screening for risk of COVID-19. 
  • When you arrive for your appointment, you will be screened for risk of COVID-19 as well. 
  • Each practitioner and staff member is screened prior to the start of each of their shifts.  

Social Distancing

  • You will receive a Phone Call or Text when you are safe to enter the clinic for your appointment.  
  • We will be attempting to group patient visits differently to limit your time at the clinic, and limit all practitioners being exposed to one another and their respective patients if possible.
  • A barrier has been installed at the front desk. 
  • If there is a need for you to wait in the waiting room, the seats have been spaced 6 feet apart. 
  • Patient appointments will be spaced apart to accommodate cleaning/disinfecting and to reduce cross traffic. 

Personal Protective Equipment

  • All practitioners will be wearing surgical/medical masks or face shields.
  • Masks are mandatory (unless the individual is 2 years or younger).
  • All practitioners are clothed in clinic specific attire which reduces what they are potentially bringing into the clinic in regards to pathogens.

Cleaning/Disinfecting 

  • The clinic will be cleaned and disinfected 3x per day and/or after each individual use (eg bathroom will be cleaned and disinfected after every individual use). 
  • Each treatment room will be cleaned and disinfected after every patient encounter. 

What We Need From You

  • Please be patient with us. We have never been through a pandemic, and are learning and adapting as we go. We are focused on your utmost safety. 
  • Please be respectful of the fact that we as practitioners are human and may feel it unsafe to treat you as we did in previous capacities and may choose to either not book appointments or revise old methods of treatment. 
  • Please wear a mask to your appointment. 
  • Please be honest with screening as it helps us to guarantee safety. 
  • If you are sick or do not feel well, please give us as much warning as you can and reschedule your appointment.

We want to thank you all again for your patience and encouragement, and we look forward to joining forces with you in achieving your health goals once again!